The University of Vermont (UVM) Grossman School of Business (GSB) Dean Sanjay Sharma was invited by Sir Richard Branson to share insights at the B Team Conclave on September 17 in New York City. The mission of the B Team, which is made up of global leaders from successful companies, countries, and institutions around the world, is to catalyze a movement of business leaders driving a better way of doing business for the well-being of people and the planet.
The New York Conclave was hosted by Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of Chobani at the Chobani Headquarters in Manhattan. Sir Richard Branson founder of the B Team, Jesper Brodin, Chair of the B Team and CEO of the Ikea Group, and Ester Baiget, Vice-Chair of the B Team and CEO of Novozymes chaired the discussions. The evening reception was hosted by Jesper Brodin, CEO of Ikea, at the Ikea U.S. headquarters.
Higher Education for a Sustainable World
Dean Sharma was invited to the conclave to share with global business and public policy leaders the role that business education plays in a sustainable world. Coming out of the meeting were several action items with Dean Sharma as a leader for tackling the goal of creating a community of courage to disrupt business education while helping cultivate the leaders we need for a sustainable and inclusive future.
“It was a great honor to join the B Team Conclave and be part of an initiative that works to be part of the solution and help change the system of business as usual,” said Sharma. “The B team leaders have a mission to be Bold and Courageous to benefit the planet, and I look forward to working towards these goals for the betterment of all.”
Advocacy at the United Nations General Assembly
B Team leaders are working to redefine the culture of accountability in business – for our companies, communities, and future generations – by creating and cascading new norms of corporate leadership that can build a better world.
The B Team also put their agenda into effect via their advocacy at the United Nations General Assembly with world leaders early the next day, on Monday, September 18. Meetings were held with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, along with the leaders of several countries.
Change is our Business
The focus of Sir Richard Branson’s B Team initiative dovetails with the focus of the Sustainable Innovation MBA program (or SI-MBA) at the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business. SI-MBA is an accelerated one-year program focusing on the essential toolkit to manage and transform business, with sustainability built into the entire curriculum. It makes for a rapid learning experience that has GSB graduates back into the world and making an impact in less time than a two-year MBA.
“Attending the conclave also was a tremendous opportunity to further expand the global profile of University of Vermont Grossman School of Business, make connections, and garner attention for our Sustainable Innovation MBA program,” added Sharma.
SI-MBA continues to be the highest ranked green MBA program accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the most prestigious accrediting body for business programs. Only 5% of programs worldwide earn this honor.
Learn more about the Sustainable Innovation MBA program at the Grossman School of Business and the B Team.